Connect BlaineMN.gov/MAYC
June 2024
Mary Ann Young Center 9150 Central Avenue NE Blaine, MN 55434
Contact MAYC Staff 763-786-9375 MAYC@BlaineMN.gov Monday - Friday, 8:30AM to 4PM
Mission Statement To enrich the lives of older adults by providing educational, recreation, nutritional, social, informational, and volunteer opportunities in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Stay Connected Are you on our email and phone list? Call 763-786-9375 to make sure MAYC staff have your most recent contact information. Follow or like BlaineParksMN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
BlaineMN.gov/MAYC
Honor the Men Celebration - Thursday, June 13, 11am-1pm, $5 All are invited to come out and honor the men! Toe tapping music will light up the crowd as Dick Szyplinski entertains at 11AM with polka, schottische, waltz music, and more. Light refreshments will be available followed by a tasty noon meal of salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, a dinner roll, and chocolate cream pie. Door prizes to be drawn from men on the lunch roster. Call 763-786-9375 to reserve your place at the table. Registration deadline is June 6.
Pork Chop Dinner - Thursday, July 25, 5:30pm, $9 This popular dinner will likely sell out early with a menu of seasoned pork chop, potato salad, pasta salad, Captain Ken’s baked beans, fresh fruit, vegetables/dip, a dinner roll, and dessert. Seating will be available both indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Dinner ticket sales begin Wednesday, June 5 in person at the MAYC. Following this homemade meal, all are invited to enjoy the boisterous sounds of the Fridley City Band on the patio from 6:15-7:45PM. Bring a lawn chair.
Fond Farewell from Shelley Johnson
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID LM MAIL
Celebrate Shelley: Monday, June 24, 1-3pm light refreshments provided
Address Service Requested
Mary Ann Young Center 9150 Central Avenue NE Blaine MN 55434
Special Summer Celebrations
It is with mixed emotions that I have announced my retirement. I have met so many great people over my years of service at the Mary Ann Young Center. Some I have just met recently, so I would like to take a moment to share my career and family history with you. Born on March 27, 1963, to LaVonne and Alfred Benike, I was their ninth and final child. Raised on a 200-acre farm in Chatfield, MN I spent my young days being involved in every activity I could, from 10 years of 4-H to a being a cheerleader for five years, to plays, choir, and every sport I could fit in: volleyball, basketball, and softball. I knew I wanted to work with people, so I talked to my high school counselor, and we found a profession that would fit. In 1985 I graduated from Mankato State University with a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services-Therapeutic Emphasis and a minor in Business Administration. I immediately obtained a position at Woodbury Health Care Center, as a therapeutic recreation specialist planning activities for 70 residents. After pay cuts across the board, I landed a job at Southview Acres Health Care Center in West St. Paul and soon took over the director position there. After 11 years of working in a care center setting, I got a call from Cindy Olson, who I had worked with at Woodbury Health Care Center, that she had to move out of town and her position was available in Blaine. I interviewed with a panel of staff at City Hall, which was across our MAYC parking lot, and then interviewed with Ann Genosky and a panel of Continued on Page 3